Piggly Wiggly receives Governor’s Award for Exemplary Employment
Those congratulating Curt and Shelly Zinkle on the Governor’s Award for Exemplary Employment were (front row, from left) Fabian Hurley, Chelsey Natwick, Marvin Bannister; (back row) Samina Grimes-DVR counselor, Amy Grotzke-Workforce Development director, Delora Newton–DVR administrator, Shelly Zinkle, Curt Zinkle, Kim Thompson–Opportunity Center employment specialist and Amy Studden–DVR business services consultant.
By Correne Martin
Zinkle’s Piggly Wiggly in Prairie du Chien was recognized on Oct. 26, with the Governor’s Award for Exemplary Employment for the store owners’ commitment to recruit and hire job seekers with disabilities. Curt and Shelly Zinkle accepted the award from the Department of Workforce Development Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR).
The Zinkles have worked with the Opportunity Center in Prairie du Chien to find employment opportunities for people with disabilities served by the center.
“Curt and Shelly Zinkle have made my job easier. For the past five years, when I call, they answer. Whether it is for a job assessment, a job shadow, a temporary work experience or a job hire, they are always willing to give people a chance,” said Kim Thompson, Opportunity Center job developer. “In fact, they have hired in excess of a dozen individuals, always taking the time to learn about their disability and creating accommodations for them to be successful in their job. Not all businesses are willing to make that commitment.”
DVR Administrator Delora Newton presented the Zinkles the award during the special October presentation, as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The goal of this recognition is to build awareness of contributions that job seekers with disabilities bring to the workforce and to encourage more employers to hire workers with disabilities.
Zinkle’s Piggly Wiggly, and store owners of what was formerly Dick’s Supermarket, have employed people with disabilities for over 20 years.
Through the DVR’s on-the-job training program, individuals with disabilities are trained at the actual work site on specific duties required to secure employment. Fifty percent of the salary and fringe expenses are covered by DVR for up to 90 days, which is another aspect that aids in the success of the program locally.
DVR and Opportunity Center staff also have assisted the Zinkles as they train and employ those with diverse disability-related issues, maximizing their employment opportunities. They all work together to identify qualified applicants for open positions in the company to meet their need for qualified staff.
“Shelly and I don’t feel deserving of the award because every person we hire has needs to some point,” Curt Zinkle stated. “Their needs are just special needs; they’re no different than our own needs. They all have strengths and we try to get them to believe in those strengths.”
In 2014, Gov. Walker launched his “A Better Bottom Line” initiative. Since that announcement, DVR has helped over 9,500 individuals with disabilities reach their employment goal. The estimated annual earnings of these workers is $167 million.
